Steering-gear.



D. E, ROSS.

STEERING GEAR.

APPucANoN F|LED1uLY2l.1s13.

1,157123. .f I Patented oct. 19, 19m

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

D. E. ROSS.'

STEERING GEAR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2l, |9I3.

1,15%123, v Patented oct.19,i915.

ZSHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIM/@oom I I I 31400/14410@ M f7@ UNITED Simfree refinar euries. I

DAVID E. ROSS, OF LA FAYETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ROSS GEAR AND TOOLCOMPANY, OF LA FAYETTE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

STEERING-GEAR.

- Application filed July 21, 1913. Serial No. 780,258.

T0 all whom it may concern Be itfknown that I, DAviD E. Ross, a citizenof the United States, residing at La Fayette, in the county ofTippecanoe and State of Indiana', have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Steering-Gears; and I hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, andeXact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to steei'ing gears for automobiles and the likewherein vit is desired to actuate the steering crank very -pmverfullyand yet easily from the steering wheel and 'hold the steering crankpositively in any position to which it may be adjusted. 4

The invention comprises novel means for producing arocking motion of onemember by longitudinal movement of an actuating member, and wherebyslippage due to angular motion of the rocking member relative to theactuating member is compensated for.

The invention is capable of embodiment in various forms so far as theconstruction of the parts and thev housing thereof is concerned;provided the essential feature of the invention, z'. e. the novel meansfor compensating for slippage due to angular motion, is retained.

A In the accompanying drawings I' have illustrated two steering gearsembodying the essential'feature of the invention, the at presentpreferred form being illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; and I will explainthe invention in detail with reference to said drawings to enable thoseskilled in the art to construct and use the same; and the claimssummarize the invention and subordinate features thereof for which Idesire protection.

In said drawings-Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation,througha steering gear;one side of the casing being removed. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section thereof on line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3` is atransverse section on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. l is a detail view of oneof the segment disks. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section and partelevation with parts broken away of another steering gear embodying theinvenf tion. Fig. 6 is a transverse section ou line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7is a transverse section on line 7-7, Fig. 5.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings the steering gear comprises acasing l in which is mounted a longitudinally movable Patented oet. ie,isis.

actuating member 2 which is preferably rectangular in cross section andslidably fitted within a corresponding rectangular portion of thecasing, so that said member can move longitudinally of the casing butlnot rotate therein.

This actuating member 2 may be reciprocated by various means; as shownvit is provided at one end with an internally screw-threaded portion 2which is engaged by a worm '3 on a sleeve 3e attached to the lower endof a steering shaft 3a, which is held against longitudinal movement inthe casing by means of thrust bearings Bb, 3, strung on the worm sleeve3e and located on opposite sides of a bearing plate 1 vextending acrossand secured in the upper part of theA casing; a thrust bearing 3b beinginterposed between the plate 1LL and a collar 3f on the worm sleeve; anda thrust bearing 3 being interposed between the plate 1LL and a collar3g secured on the worin sleeve above the platela. The worm 3 is thusrotatably, butl not longitudinally, movable in the casing; anchas aresult when the worm is rotated, by' trhing the steering shaft 3, theactuatingmembep longitudinally of the casing.

2 is moved In opposite sides of the actuating member.,l

2, below or beyond the end of the worm, are:

formed cylindrical recesses 2c for a purpose:

hereinafter explained.

J ournaled in the casing at right angles to= the worm and member "2, isa rocker shaft "Ll to the outer end of which the steering crank or ballarm (not shown) is attached; which steering crank maybe connected4 inany de'- sired manner to the steering wheels of the vehicle, or rudderof the boat, on which the steering gear is used. In the constructionshown in Figs. 1-3, this rocker shaft llis shown as provided with two"-'parallel radially projecting lexlferssorvv crank fingers 4c whichrespectively project. Linto and4 diametrically of the cyliiidiicrecesses 2l in the opposite sidesof the member 2; the outer faces ofsaid crank fingers being practically flush with the outer faces of thesides of the member 2 in which the said recesses are formed.

ilioy L i. than! which completely lillv the space between theoppositesides of the crank fingers 4 andthe opposed circular walls of therecesses 2;

the outer face of each segment 5 being curved on an are corresponding tothat 'of the circular wallof the recess; and the inner tace of eachsegment is straight to fit neatly and slidably against the straightopposed face of theadjacent crank finger.

lt will be observed that the axes of the cylindric recesses 2c kareparallel with the aXis of tharocker shaft i so that said recesses are inaxial parallelism with said shaft; and lie parallel with said shaftinstead of standin. perpendicular', or at an angle, thereto.

t wilibe seen that with this construction each partifcylindric segment 5has a large bearing surface bothV against the wall of the l recess inwhich it is placed and against the ments to move in exactunison.

opposed crank nger centering such recess, and such segments effectivelyprevent lateral play between the crank fingers and the actuating member2, and at the same time cause the crank fingers to operatethe rockershaft d when the actuating member 2 is moved longitudinally.' The saidsegments 5@v and crank fingers 4 transmit motion in the mostadvantageous manner Afrom the said actuating member to the rocker shafta; the segments `5" automatically adjusting themselves in4 the circularrecesses as the member 2 is reciprocatede; and the crank lingers 4creadily slipping longitudinally of the segments (or radiallyof thedisks). according to the movement of the member 2. This freedom of.movement of the segments 5, both relative to the circular walls oftherecesses and to the crank'iingers 4:6, is an important feature of theinvention, as it compensates for an angular changes of position of thesegments 5c relative to the shaft 4:, due to the rotation or rocking'ofdisks 5; and also for slippage of the crank lingers 4- longitudinelly ofthe segments, and radially of thev axes lof the recesses 2, as the shaft4: `is rocked by the movement of the member 2.

l prefer to connect 'the segments 5CIA by forming them as integral partsof a disk'as shown, to prevent their possible relative displacement, andto cause the opposed seg- When. so formed each disk 5 may be provided inits web portion, forming the bottom of the slot 5a, with a circularopening 5e engaging a.

corresponding boss or projection 2eiin the center .of the recess 2, asindicated in Flgs. 2'and 3.

in order to prevent the lower end of the actuating member movinglaterally toward the shaft 4i when in its extreme positlons, a.

bearing or support lf'may be provided in the casing against which theadjacent side of the actuating member bears; this support is of 'suchwidth that the crank fingers will pass on opposite sides of it, and saidsupport is of such length that the lower end of the actuating memberwill be supported thereby when ineither extreme position.

If the segments 5c are made separate they have a tendency to, slip outof the recess if the actuating member 2'is shifted to an extremeposition in either direction, and to bind when the actuating member isstarted back from such extreme position. By connecting the two segments,for instance by a placed or dropplng out, if it should project far outof the recess when .the actuating member is in either extreme position.

The construction illustrated in Figs. 5,6 and 7 is substantially similarto that shown in Figs. l to 3,'but the sliding member 2x (whichcorresponds in function and effect with member 2 in Figs. 1-3) has itsscrewthreaded worm-engaging portion formed in.

a lateral offset 2h sothat the screw 3X is at the side of the member 2instead of at one end thereof. The worm 3X extends through the member 2xandis kept from longitudinal movement in the casing by means of ballthrust bearings 3', 3, secured in the casing at o posite ends 'of theworm, as indicated in t e drawings. The part 2m containing the recesses2c and segments 5c may be made integral with the part 2, orfmay be madeseparate therefrom and secured thereto by a stud 2n engaging a socket inthe part 2h'adjacent the screw and secured by a ring-nut 2, or otherlsuitable device as shown. segments 5, and the rocker shaft i and crankfingers 4 are substantially similar in construction and arrangement tosimilarly lettered parts in Figs. 1 to 3, and need no furtherexplanation herein.

It willybe observed that in each instance the parti-cylindric segmentshave simply a frotative movement within the recesses; and

a sliding contact with the opposed faces of the crank fingers. It isdesirable to have the actuating member, thesegments and the rocker shaftand The y iasy tuating member therein; means for oper 'ating saidmember; a shaft provided with crank fingers entering circular recessesin opposite sides of said actiiating'member in axial parallelism withsaid shaft; and particylindric members in said recesses at oppositesides of said fingers, whereby when the actuating member is operated theshaft is rocked. l

2. In combination, a casing, a slidable actuating member thereinprovided with cyvvlindric recessesin l 's opposite sides in axialparallelism with-the rocker shaft.; a screw for reciprocating.saidactuating member; a

rocker shaft besidey said actuating member provided with; crank fingersentering said recesses; and 'parti-c vlindric blocks in the recessesengagingsaid crank fingers; whereby the angular motion of said crankfingers relative to the actuating member is com# pensatedfor. f

- 3. `In combination; a casing; a reciprocating actuating member thereinprovided with parti-cylindric recesses in its opposite sides `Vin axialparallelism with the rocker shaft;

a worm shaft for moving said member longitu 1ina1ly;fak rocker shafthaving crank fingers entering said recesses; and parti-cylindric blocksplaced in said recesses on opposite sides of said crank fingers; wherebyvwhen theactuating member is* moved longitudinally said vshaft is rockedand the angular motion'of the crank fingers relative to saidactuatingvmember is automatihaving opposite parti-cylindric segments engagingsaid crank fingers; whereby the angular motion of Said crank fingersrelative to the actuating member is compensated for.

[5. Incombination; a casing; a reciprocatying A actuatingl membertherein provided with lin axial parallelism with the rocker shaft;

parti-cylindric recesses in itsopposite sides means for moving saidmember longitudinally; a rocker shaft having crank fingers entering saidrecesses; and rotatable disks pivotally mounted in saidrecessesand'lhaving partifcylindric segments on opposite sides of andengaging said crank fingers.; whereby when the actuating member is movedlongitudinally said shaft is rocked and the angular motion of the 'crankfingers relative -t'o said actuating member is automatically compensatedfor.v

6. In combination, a reciprocatory member having ya cylindric. recess inits outer side axially parallel with the axis of the rocking member, arocking member having a crank finger extending beside s aidreciprocatory member and entering said recess; and parti-cylindricsegments in said recess filling the spaces between the sides yof saidcrank finger and the outer Walls of said recess, substantially asdescribed.

7. In combination, an actuating member having an open ended cylindricrecess in its side; means for producing longitudinal motion of saidmember a rocker member enter-4 ing said recess in the actuating member;and'l lmrttcylindric segments' in 'said recess at" opposite sides ofsaid rocker member; said segments being rotatable within said recess andslidable relative to said rockermember.

8. In. combination, an actuating member having a cylindric recess in itsouter side, a

rotatable disk provided with parti-cylindric segment-s onits outer faceinserted in said' recess; and a'rocker lever pivoted at one side of saidactuating member and extending into said recess and between theparticylindric segments therein, whereby slippage due to angular motionis overcome.

9. In combination, an actuating member havinga cylindric recess on eachside in axial alinement, parti-cylindric segments inv said recesses, anda pair of rocking levers respectively entering one of said recesses. and'lying between the opposite segments therein, substantially asdescribed.

10. In combination, a casing, a reciprocat ing actuating member thereinprovided with cylindric recesses in axial alinement, means for movingsaid member longitudinally;

'pivoted members entering said recesses, and

parti-cylindric members in said recesses at opposite sides of saidpivoted members, whereby when lthe actuating member is movedlongitudinally said pivoted members are rocked. it

11. In combination, a casing, a ding actuating member 'therein havingopen fei'ided circular recesses in its opposite sides,

shaft provided with crank fingers' enteringv thecircular recesses 1nsaid actuating mem.-

`means ffor operating said member;` and a i ber,and a rotatable disk insaid recess-.pro-

vided with parti-cylindric membersat opposite sides of the fingertherein,whereby vwhen the actuating member is. operated the shaft isrocked, substantially as described.

In testimony that claim the foregoing as my own I affix my slgnature inpresence of two witnesses. I ,i DAVID E. Ross.,

Witnesses:

Geo. C. KUMMING, W. B. MATTHEWS.

